David Blackburn Remains Interested In Tennessee AD Role, But Hasn't Been Contacted

UT-Chattanooga Vice Chancellor & AD David Blackburn yesterday said that he has "never been officially contacted" about the Tennessee AD role, despite his name emerging over the summer as a favorite to replace outgoing AD Dave Hart, according to John Adams of the Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL. Blackburn: “If contacted, I would be interested. If they want to interview me, I absolutely would. ... I think they want the new chancellor (Beverly Davenport) to get her feet on the ground first." Adams notes Davenport will "officially hit UT ground" tomorrow. Meanwhile, former UT football coach Phillip Fulmer has emerged as another "leading candidate" for the AD position. UT is using Turnkey Sports & Entertainment to assist with the search, and Turnkey Senior Exec Dir Gene DeFilippo is a "longtime friend of Fulmer’s." There are also "strong Fulmer supporters," including Peyton Manning, "on the search committee." Although Hart’s effective retirement date is June 30, UT "can hire a replacement sooner" (Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL, 2/14).